The Microsoft Surface Studio 2 all-in-one workstation is aimed at digital artists, videographers and marketers in the UK today – and the range starts at £3549.

That’s an eye-watering amount of money, but consider that, for your cash, you’re getting a complete system with built-in storage (either 1TB or 2TB), Nvidia GPU options (GTX 1060 or GTX 1070) to power your creative apps/get in a sly bit of Apex Legends on the side, not to mention a huge 28-inch 4500 x 3000 calibrated display which features three preset modes.

So yes, it’s big. Yes it’s going to set you back a fair bit. But this is a work device first and foremost, and an entertainment hub second. Ahead of a full review, I was invited to attend a media briefing session – here’s how I got on.

Related: Best Desktop PC 2019

The Surface Studio 2 looks like a dream workstation for digital artists, playing nicely with the new Surface Pen and Surface Dial.Microsoft Surface Studio 2 price – how much will the Surface Studio 2 cost?

UK prices for all the iterations of the new Microsoft Surface Studio 2 are as follows:

The Asus GL12 CX is an impressively compact PC that packs in masses of gaming performance. Inside its modest frame it houses an Intel Core i9-9900K, an Nvidia RTX 2080 and plenty of storage, RAM and an optical disc drive too.

All this doesn’t come cheap, with this version of the PC reviewed here costing a cool £3000. But, for that outlay you do get plenty of performance.

Elsewhere, there’s nothing particularly exotic going on with the design and build of this PC – just a few RGB lights on the front. However, if you simply want a hugely powerful, but not huge, PC then it’s worth a look.

Related: Best gaming PCs

Asus ROG Strix GL 12CX – Design and build

We’ve seen our fair share of compact gaming PCs recently, such as the Alienware Aurora and astonishingly tiny Corsair One. As such, the GL 12CX isn’t breaking any new ground. Nonetheless, this is a smaller PC than many.

The MSI Trident X is one of the most intriguing big-brand gaming PCs that I’ve ever seen. It’s a mini-ITX PC that undercuts most rivals for size, while featuring brand-new, lightning-fast Nvidia and Intel components.

To get your hands on one of these, however, you’ll have to fork out £2900. That’s a hefty chunk of cash, and it brings the MSI into competition with machines that offer more power and features.

Related: Best gaming PC

MSI Trident X – Specifications

The Core i7-9700K is one of Intel’s most powerful new processors. It uses the Coffee Lake-S design, which means the architecture is the same as last year’s Coffee Lake chips. But it also means that Intel has revamped its core counts and improved its clock speeds.

Case in point: the i7-9700K is an eight-core chip without hyper-threading. It replaces the i7-8700K, which was a six-core chip that does have hyper-threading.

The Predator Orion 9000 is Acer’s flagship desktop gaming PC. Available in a range of configurations, this monster of a machine can house multiple graphics cards and the very highest-end CPUs available, along with plenty of storage options too.

With its enormous case, replete with handles on the top, wheels at the back and a plethora of RGB lighting, this is far from the last word in subtlely. However, if all out performance and a bold design statement is what you’re after, the Orion 9000 may be right up your street.

Acer Predator Orion 9000 – Design and Features

I’m not joking around when we say this is a big PC. With maximum dimensions of 643 x 299 x 700mm, it dwarfs standard (midi) PC cases such as the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv and even tops full-tower cases such as the Corsair 900D. It’s a far cry from the general trend towards more compact PCs that we’ve seen in recent years, like the MSI Vortex G25 and Corsair One Elite.

It’s no shrinking violet in terms of styling either. A lot of the reason for those extreme dimensions is the angular shape of the case that gets wider towards the bottom. Look through the ventilation grilles on the front and towards the bottom, you can see there’s fully 100 mm or so of essentially empty outer shell before the fans that are housed in the front of the case proper.

The ESL Certified Esports PC is an exciting and intriguing system that represents the combined efforts of three of the UK’s biggest tech and gaming companies. Unsurprisingly for an ESL-branded system, it’s taking aim at esports gaming.

The Esports PC comes with a Pascal-powered graphics card, an overclocked processor and plenty of room to grow thanks to building by experts at PC Specialist – and it’ll available on the high street at branches of Currys and PC World.

ESL Certified Esports PC – Specifications

The components inside this system have unsurprisingly been chosen to handle the latest esports games – and, pleasingly, they’ll also tackle other top titles and most non-gaming applications.

Graphical grunt comes from a GeForce GTX 1070. This card packs in 1920 stream processors and a rapid base clock of 1506MHz. There’s enough power in this Pascal card to handle any current esports game, and anything that’ll conceivably enter the competitive scene in the next few years.

Their main function is to get you online, with full support for the usual array of peripherals and the ability to download and run Android apps. Of course, functionality is limited, just as with the Chromebook laptop equivalents.

Asus introduced the first Chromebox a few years back, and this sequel basically offers a handful of upgrades to keep it all fresh and modern. At its heart this remains a simple and portable desktop box, however.

I’ve been using the Chromebox as my work device and here’s what you can expect.

The Cintiq Pro 24 is the latest big-screen monitor from Wacom. The behemoth device is bespoke built for creatives and is, believe it or not, the smaller option in Wacom’s next-generation line of Cintiqs – it sits below the 32-inch model set for launch later this year.

Featuring an excellent screen, industry-leading stylus and support for Wacom’s Pro Engine – which turns it into a standalone PC – the Pro 24 is an artist’s dream. My only quibble is that Wacom is still insisting on charging significant sums for all the optional extras that creatives will need to fully take advantage of the new Cintiq.

With pricing for the monitor portion alone setting you back a hefty £1900, and the optional Pro Engine an extra £2400, the Cintiq Pro 24 is a seriously expensive luxury.

Related: Best monitors

Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 – Design and setup

The Cintiq Pro 24 isn’t a subtle bit of kit. The giant screen measures a whopping 677 x 394 x 47mm and, unlike most all-in-ones or displays, is designed to be sat flat on a desk – like an artist’s easel. As such, it’s likely to take up a whole desk all on its own, leaving little space for a mouse or keyboard, let alone a desktop computer, to sit next to it.

The G25 weighs just 2.5kg and is 43mm wide and 332m tall. It’s barely bigger than a gaming notebook, and that means it compares very well to its rivals.

The Zotac MEK1, for instance, is 118mm wide and 418mm tall – and it weighs 8.9kg. The Asus ROG GR8 II-T017Z is 88mm wide and weighs 3.7kg, but it’s a little shorter at 299mm. And, if you want to go a step further in terms of size, the Lenovo IdeaCentre Y710 Cube is 252mm wide but just 315mm tall, with a 7.4kg weight.

The MSI’s diminutive dimensions make it one of the best options I’ve seen for LAN parties – it’s certainly easy to pack this machine into a backpack. The G25’s exterior is made from plastic and, importantly, it’s sturdy enough to handle being frequently carried around.

There aren’t many companies with as much experience as Zotac when it comes to small-form-factor PCs. The firm has been building exceptional systems for years, so we were excited when the Zotac MEK1 arrived on our test bench.

This mini-ITX rig is a little larger than many of Zotac’s previous systems, but it’s also far more powerful. That’s because the MEK1 has been built to deliver high-end gaming in a package small enough to take to LAN parties.

Related: Best gaming PCs

Zotac MEK1 – Design and build

It certainly looks the part PC. Parallel bands of RGB LEDs run from beneath the base, up the front of the machine and across the roof. The case is rather angular, with vents seen all over the machine. Zotac says that the design is inspired by robots and ‘mechanical anatomy’, and we can certainly believe it.

Via Zotac’s Spectra software, those RGB LEDs can be adjusted to display different colours and lighting modes, and the rest of the exterior offers solid versatility. A door at the front of the machine hides the power button, USB ports and audio jacks, and at the rear there are four USB 3 ports, five audio jacks and dual Ethernet. Sadly, there’s no USB 3.1 Type-C.

The latest incarnation of Corsair’s small-form-factor desktop is a stunning system that tries to tick every box. The Corsair One Elite’s internals have been upgraded to deliver better performance in applications and games, while – the company claims – being virtually silent in operation.

The Corsair One is smaller than almost every other PC on the market, too – but it’s expensive: the Elite model reviewed here costs a mighty £2999. Is it worth the money?

Related: Best Gaming PCs

Corsair One Elite – Design and build

The latest Corsair One immediately earns its Elite label. The exterior is hewn from aircraft-grade aluminium with a matte black finish – so not only does it look fantastic, but it isn’t a fingerprint magnet either. Two subtle strips of light on the front sit on either side of modest logos and a smart power button.

Superb looks are joined by impressive dimensions. The One is 380mm tall and 176mm wide, which makes it more compact than even the smallest machines produced by every mainstream rival. It weighs 7.4kg, and there are no silly protrusions or extra stands, making this a system that will easily slot behind a monitor or even into a bag.

The Dell Inspiron AIO 5475 is part of Dell’s new Inspiron 5000 all-in-one line-up. With its classy exterior upgrade, the AIO 5475 looks far nicer than its predecessors and much more like a premium desktop.

But, inside sits an older generation AMD processor, which makes this computer slower than many of its rivals. Given the relatively high price, this is an all-in-one with some significant challenges and tough competition.

Related: Best desktop PC

Dell Inspiron AIO 5475 – Design and Build

I can’t complain about the AIO 5475’s design. While the old Inspiron 5000-series had rather thick bezels, the AIO 5475 has Dell’s increasingly-common ‘InfityEdge’ screen, similar to that seen on the excellent XPS 13 laptop.

With the screen reaching from edge-to-edge, the AIO 5475 looks gorgeous. And with the thinnest of borders, the 23.8-inch panel isn’t overly imposing; this all-in-one doesn’t take up much room on the desk. A small ‘chin’ runs across the bottom, housing the computer’s speakers and webcam. With its black grille, this strip looks great and gives the AIO 5475 a smart and unique look. I think it’s fair to say that this all-in-one is every bit as attractive as the iMac.

The latest addition to the Republic of Gamers range is one of Asus’ biggest-ever desktop PCs. The GT51CH is a 23kg monster that mixes high-end components with incredible aesthetics, but it arrives with a bank-busting price of £2999 – and I’m not sure it can justify that figure.

Related: Best gaming PC specs to build yourself

Asus Republic of Gamers GT51CH – Design and build

This computer is a beast. Its front panel is made from a sloping gunmetal material, with a bright RoG logo positioned between two illuminated slashes.

That’s an impressive start, but the front is dominated by a circular addition at the bottom of the panel. It’s a recessed area ringed with burnt orange plastic, and it has its own LEDs – so it glows like Iron Man’s Arc Reactor. It isn’t simply a visual touch, however – the round entryway ushers air towards the Asus’ only intake fan, and then into the rest of the PC.

I’ve seen many companies try to take on the Apple iMac before, but they’ve largely been PC copies of the same design, rather than something fresh. It’s good, then, to see Dell do something different for its XPS 27 All-in-One, crafting a PC that’s designed to play to Windows’ strengths while adding some unique hardware touches.

Related: Best desktop PCs

Dell XPS 27 All-in-One – Design and build

With its 27-inch display, the XPS 27 is rather an imposing all-in-one measuring 435 x 625 x 80mm. Like the iMac it has a large chin at the bottom, although, in this case, it isn’t just dead space but houses six speakers in the glossy black frame. The result is a computer that looks refreshingly different to the competition and fantastic in its own right. Certainly, this is an all-in-one that’s been built to garner attention, and I’d proudly have it sat on my desk.

A common complaint with all-in-ones is that they often have inflexible stands, but this isn’t the case with the XPS 27. Thanks to the adjustable hinge mechanism, you can move the screen anywhere between face-on to flat on the desk. Getting the screen lined up comfortably is easy, and the manoeuvrability makes the touchscreen much easier to use, as you don’t have to lean awkwardly across a desk to prod at the screen.

The minor downside is that the full-metal stand, to cope with this movement, adds to the weight, with the touchscreen model of the XPS 27 weighing in at a hefty 17.3kg. Still, it’s unlikely that you’ll be shifting the position of the machine much once it’s in place.

Single-board computers have become very popular over the last five years, with the Raspberry Pi getting in on the act early on, winning the hearts and minds of children, teachers and coding hobbyists with its low price, easy software and vibrant community.

The Tinker Board, then, is Asus’ attempt not so much to cash in on this world of single-board PCs, but offer a slightly more premium piece of hardware to sate the demands of enthusiasts who want better performance. It’s a commendable effort and it is a great piece of hardware, but software and support is a real sticking point.

Asus Tinker Board – Design and features

Although at first glance it looks just like a Raspberry Pi 3, some tweaks to the Tinker Board’s design help it feel more like a premium product. The board is covered with icons depicting its various functions, so you’re unlikely to get your camera and display connectors mixed up.

The general-purpose input/output (GPIO) header is colour-coded, too, to help you see what pin is what (red for 5V, for example, and black for ground). The Tinker Board’s pins have the same layout as the Raspberry Pi’s, to make transferring over your projects simpler. There’s also a stick-on heatsink in the box, which you should use as the SOC gets far, far hotter than the Pi’s under load.

Raspberry Pi alongside the Asus Tinker Board; the most noticable difference is the additional heatsink and coloured IO connectors on the Asus (right)

The 4K 21.5-inch 2017 iMac is a refresh of Apple’s iconic all-in-one. It comes stacked with the latest processor and graphics options, alongside the same butter-smooth Apple experience you’ve come to expect.

If you’re after a powerful and good-looking all-in-one, you really don’t need to look much further.

21.5-inch iMac – Design and build

If you’ve seen an iMac in the past decade, then you’ll have a pretty good idea of what this latest model will offer. Despite its age, the iMac still offers up great-looking design with its combination of silver aluminium, tapered edges and simple, single-footed stand.

The iMac is a thoroughly modern device when it comes to connectivity. There are four USB 3 ports, a further two high-speed Thunderbolt 3 ports that can handle data at up to 40Gbps – perfect for high-end storage peripherals and monitors – and an SDXC card slot, Gigabit Ethernet and headphone jack.

One of the main reasons for people not wanting to invest in a desktop PC is because of the associated bulk. However, computers don’t have to be so huge, as the tiny Asus VivoMini VC66R shows. Despite its small size, the VivoMini doesn’t sacrifice power and can do more than your average laptop. Available only on a build-to-order basis, the VC66R will hopefully be on mainstream sale later in the year.I’ve not yet given the VivoMini VC66R a rating due to its lack of a price in the UK. When Asus announces a price, I’ll revisit this review to deliver my final verdict.

Related: Best desktop PC

Asus VivoMini VC66R – Design and Build

I love the VivoMini VC66R: it’s modern-looking, minimalist and very small (177 x 153 x 74mm). The case has a subtle dimpling effect, with a pattern of squares. It helps break up the case, giving it a fresher look.

Although the VivoMini VC66R is compact, the case has everything that you could want on it. At the front, there are two USB 2.0 ports, a USB 3.0 port and a USB 3.1 Type-C port, with a headphone jack rounding off the options. At the rear, there are two further USB 3.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet (802.11ac Wi-Fi is built-in), and an SDXC card reader. Arguably, the card reader would be better at the front of the PC, where it’s easier to reach. That said, the VC66R is so small and light that it’s easy enough to turn around.

The rear houses the power input, provided by an external power brick. While an internal power supply can be neater, this would require a larger case, which wouldn’t be ideal. There are HDMI, DisplayPort and DVI graphics outputs. As the VivoMini VC66R uses integrated Intel graphics, only the DisplayPort output supports 4K displays at 60Hz; the HDMI 1.4 output can only do 4K at 24Hz. Finally, there’s a serial COM port on the back, should this be the kind of thing that you need.

A phone that can double up as a PC has long been a dream of techies. The business case for having one complete computing device for on-the-go tasks and desk-bound work is pretty strong.

Windows 10 Mobile Continuum made a commendable first step into this world, but it’s Samsung that’s taken up the mantle with DeX, a £120 dock that supports the latest Galaxy S8 and S8+ smartphones.

Buy the Samsung Dex from Mobile Fun – £129.99

Samsung DeX – Dock

As a piece of design the DeX looks pretty cool, but it’s rather impractical. Think of it as a small black plastic pie, with the pastry lid that can be slid back to reveal the USB-C connector and which forms a resting place for your docked phone.

The innards of the dock contain a cooling fan for the heatsink, with the external ports consisting of the following: USB-C for power, HDMI, two USB 2.0 ports and an Ethernet connector for wired internet.

The PC is the greatest gaming platform on earth, but the size of many such rigs makes them rather inflexible. Not so with the Asus ROG GR8 II, since this little PC is console-sized and will be as at home under a TV as it is connected to a monitor. A low price for this mid-range model (the T01Z) makes it all the more exciting, although a few hardware upgrades may be necessary to make the most of this computer.Update: Since my inital review, Asus has informed me they plan to sell a version with an SSD in the UK. It’s a good move, as flash storage would make the PC much faster to boot and load applications. If you want a GR8 II, it might be worth waiting. Asus has also announced that several new specifications will be launching later this year, including a 6GB GTX 1060 model along with a cheaper GTX 1050 Ti version as well. It might pay to wait until then, although right now some retailers are selling the ROG GR8 with a mouse, keyboard, headset and mousemat bundle. I’ve not tested the products in the bundle, but it’s a decent freebie.

Asus ROG GR8 II-T017Z – Design and Build

I love the look of the ROG GR8 II. Measuring just 88 x 299 x 281mm, it’s around the size of a PS4. It’s designed to stand vertically, although there’s no real reason why you couldn’t lay the PC flat; you may want to attach some stick-on felt feet for protection. This offers plenty of flexibility as to whether the GR8 II will be used as a living room PC or simply a standard desktop computer.

Gaming PCs are known to sport over-the-top design, but the ROG GR8 II gets the balance just right. A combination of the simple styling – a grey exterior with a burnished orange flourish in the middle – with neat angled sides makes this PC stand out for the right reasons.Related: Best PC Games 2017

Asus’ Aura LEDs run through the case, letting you synchronise the GR8 II with other ROG products. There are 8 million colours from which to choose, with plenty of effects to cycle through a range of choices. Personally, I prefer a fixed, more subtle colour. You do have the option to turn off the lights, too, if you don’t want any distractions.

Included are all the ports you’d expect from a modern PC, including two USB 3.0, headphone and microphone ports at the front. At the rear, there are a further three USB 3.0 ports, a USB 3.1 Type-C port, Gigabit Ethernet (there’s built-in 2×2 802.11ac Wi-Fi as well), line-out and optical S/PDIF. Via the integrated Nvidia GTX 1060 graphics card, there are two HDMI and a single DisplayPort output.

An all-in-one computer often feels like the sensible choice, combining a PC and a monitor to reduce clutter. But, why can’t these computers be just that little bit crazy and more attention grabbing? HP certainly thinks they can, as its Envy 34 Curved All-in-One demonstrates. As the name gives away, this all-in-one has a massive 34-inch curved display, making it immediately different to everything else I’ve seen.

HP Envy 34 Curved All-in-One – Design and build

Big it may be, but the Envy 34 is also rather attractive and grabbed my attention for all of the right reasons. The size of the screen is something of a boon for design, as it gives HP a bit more room to play with. This is a far cry from HP’s previous attempt at a curved all-in-one. It’s thoroughly grown-up, stylish and would fit into any office or home environment

Related: Best desktop PCsRather than a basic stand, as with most all-in-ones, HP’s stand contains all of the computer’s components, but it looks like a TV soundbase. It’s not just design, as this really is a soundbase, as the Bang & Olufsen branding attests.

Cleverly, the base has a QI wireless charging spot that lets you top-up a compatible phone (including the Samsung Galaxy S7, S8 and LG G6) just by sitting it on the left-hand side of the stand.

On the right-hand side of the base, you get an SD card reader and USB 3.1 Type-C port. The remaining four USB 3.0 ports and Gigabit Ethernet (there’s built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi) are at the rear, where they’re exceptionally hard to reach as this all-in-one is heavy and cumbersome to turn. You also get an HDMI 2.0 input and HDMI 2.0 output. Having both is great, as you can add a second display if that giant screen’s not quite enough; you can also connect an additional device such as a games console or Blu-ray player.

The Corsair One is the American hardware firm’s second stab at the living room PC market after the compact Bulldog PC that was announced in 2015. Corsair says it’s designed the system from the ground up to be the “ultimate lounge PC” – one that’s powerful enough to play games at 4K and run VR headsets, such as the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, but small and quiet enough to discreetly sit in a regular person’s living room.

From a design perspective it’s an absolute marvel, and thanks to an innovative cooling system, the Corsair One is one of the most powerful mini-ITX gaming PCs Trusted has ever tested. However, its lack of upgradability limits its appeal to hardware fanatics. With pricing starting at a hefty £1799.99 for the most basic configuration, the Corsair One is also seriously expensive.

Related: Best gaming PCs

Corsair One – Design and build

On the outside the Corsair One is one of the most inconspicuous gaming PCs I’ve seen. Unlike most PC builders Corsair has avoided making too many outlandish design flourishes or adding many RGB lights. The only extravagance are the two light strips on the One’s front. Personally I’d have prefered no lights, but it’s easy enough to turn them off, or change the colour to something more subtle, using Corsair’s preinstalled Link software.

Even with them on the One is a fairly discreet device thanks to its ridiculously small dimensions. At just 380 x 200 x 176mm, it’s significantly smaller than some of the more compact gaming PCs we’ve seen recently, such as the Alienware Aurora and Lenovo Ideacentre Y710 Cube.